Folding Canopy

ABSTRACT

A folding canopy has a canopy top made of flexible sheet material; and a canopy frame. The canopy top is adapted to attach onto the canopy frame, and the canopy frame includes a number of members. A pair of left cross support bars have a first left cross support bar, and a second left cross support bar. The first left cross support bar is pivotally connected to the second left cross support bar. A pair of right cross support bars includes a first right cross support bar, and a second right cross support bar. The first right cross support bar is pivotally connected to the second right cross support bar.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of folding canopies.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A variety of folding canopies have been used for providing shade. One ofthe most common folding canopy designs sold today has a square footprint. Shade can also be provided with tents having flexible members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A folding canopy has a canopy top made of flexible sheet material; and acanopy frame. The canopy top is adapted to attach onto the canopy frame,and the canopy frame includes a number of members. A pair of left crosssupport bars have a first left cross support bar, and a second leftcross support bar. The first left cross support bar is pivotallyconnected to the second left cross support bar. A pair of right crosssupport bars includes a first right cross support bar, and a secondright cross support bar. The first right cross support bar is pivotallyconnected to the second right cross support bar.

A pair of left legs are pivotally connected together so that the pair ofleft legs form an angle between them in a deployed position. The pair ofleft legs form a left apex, and the pair of left legs are pivotallyconnected to the first left cross support bar and the second left crosssupport bar. A pair of right legs are pivotally connected together sothat the pair of right legs form an angle between them in a deployedposition. The pair of right legs form a right apex, wherein the pair ofright legs are pivotally connected to the first right cross support barand the second right cross support bar. A horizontal support frameconnects between the pair of right legs and the pair of left legs. Thehorizontal support frame is pivotally connected to the pair of rightlegs and pivotally connected to the pair of left legs.

The horizontal support frame is collapsible into a folded position froma deployed position. The horizontal support frame includes four barsmade of hollow metal. The four bars are joined by pivot connection toeach other and to the pair of left legs and to the pair of right legs.The horizontal support frame connects to the pair of left cross supportbars and to the pair of right cross support bars and a right loweroutside junction and at a left outside junction.

The horizontal support frame connects to the pair of right legs at theright apex, and the horizontal support frame connects to the pair ofleft legs at the left apex. A left center post connects to the leftapex, and a right center post connects to the right apex. They pair ofleft legs are pivotally connected to the left center post at the leftapex and the pair of right legs are pivotally connected to the rightcenter post at the right apex. The left center post is substantiallyvertically oriented, and the right center post is substantiallyvertically oriented.

A right extension sleeve can be sliding mounted to the right center postlower section. The right extension sleeve has a pair of right sleevestruts. The pair of right sleeve struts are connected to the pair ofright legs. A left extension sleeve can be sliding mounted to the leftcenter post lower section. The left extension sleeve has a pair of leftsleeve struts, and the pair of left sleeve struts are connected to thepair of left legs.

A right center post lower cap and a right extension grommet can bound arange of travel of the right extension sleeve between a right upperbound defined by the right extension grommet and a right lower bound ofthe right-center post lower cap. A left center post lower cap and a leftextension grommet can bound a range of travel of the left extensionsleeve between a left upper bound defined by the left extension grommetand a left lower bound of the left center post lower cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the canopy frame in a half openedposition.

FIG. 2 is a close-up of a portion of the canopy frame showing details ofthe leg connection.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the canopy frame in fully open and deployedposition.

The following callout list of elements references the elements of thedrawings.

-   20 Canopy Frame-   21 First Cross Support Bar-   22 Support Bar To Support Leg Joint-   23 Connecting Bar-   24 Center Post-   25 Center Post Pivotal Connection-   26 Second Cross Support Bar-   27 Support Leg-   28 Horizontal Support Frame-   29 Lower Outside Junction-   31 Left inside Junction-   32 Upper Junction-   33 Lower Junction-   34 Right Inside Junction-   35 Right Third Pivot-   36 Foot Supports-   37 Right Pair Of Cross Support Bars-   41 First Pivot-   42 Left Third Pivot-   43 Telescopic Extension Grommet-   44 Center Post Upper Section-   45 Upper Portion Of The Support Legs-   46 Sleeve Struts-   47 Extension Sleeve-   48 Center Post Lower Cap-   49 Center Post Lower Section-   50 Canopy Fabric

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention has a canopy fabric 50 supported by a canopy frame20. The canopy frame 20 preferably includes eighteen parts and manyformed as linkages that pivot relative to each other or are intelescopic sliding configuration relative to each other. Pivotingconnections are preferably made by rivets. A variety of bushings, jointsand caps connect the linkages together. The linkages are preferably madeof hollow and metal members while the bushings, joints and caps arepreferably made of steel and plastic. The size of the folding canopy mayprovide about a 6 m² footprint of shade and the canopy fabric can bemade in a variety of different colors.

The plurality of linkage assemblies can also have subassemblies that canbe called a frame since can be relatively rigid or optionally locktogether. Locking together to form a formal ‘frame’ as defined in civilengineering or not locking together to maintain a linkage assembly is anoptional feature of the present invention. The present invention staysopen or stays closed in the fully deployed position or in the foldedposition.

The frame includes a first cross support bar 21 connecting with a secondcross support bar 26 that are parallel and vertically oriented whenfolded up, but parallel and horizontally oriented when a deployedposition. The first cross support bar 21 connects with the second crosssupport bar 26 at a connecting bar 23. The connecting bar 23 limits therotational motion of the cross support bars and maintains a straighthorizontal profile of the first cross support bar 21 and the secondcross support bar 26. The connecting bar 23 is attached to the firstcross support bar by a pair of rivets so that it does not move or rotaterelative to the first cross support bar.

The lower outside junction preferably is a double swivel connection toeither the connecting bar 23, the first cross support bar 21, or to thesecond cross support bar 26. The double swivel could provide a firstswivel in the plane of the horizontal support frame, and also provide asecond swivel in the plane of the folding support legs. The loweroutside junction could also be a ball joint, but the double swivelconnection is preferred.

A center post 24 receives a center post pivotal connection 25 to a pairof support legs 27. The pair of support legs 27 fold together and apart.The pair of support legs 27 start off as parallel in the folded positionand then have an angle and angled position. The pair of support legs 27or pivotally mounted to the center post 24 at an upper end of the centerpost 24. The center post pivotal connection 25 has a first pivotconnecting to the first leg, a second pivot connecting to a second leg,and a third pivot normal to the first pivot and the second pivot.

The third pivot connects to a horizontal support frame 28. Thehorizontal support frame is preferably made of four elongated membersconnected at an upper end at the left third pivot and the right thirdpivot 35. The left third pivot and the right third pivot areapproximately equivalent and approximately mirror images of each other.The horizontal support frame 28 has a pair of inside junctions ofpivotal connection. The first inside junction is the left insidejunction 31 and the second inside junction is the right inside junction34. The inside junctions provide pivotal connection of the members ofthe horizontal support frame. The horizontal support frame also includesan upper junction 32 and a lower junction 33. The horizontal supportframe connects to one of the cross support bars such as the second crosssupport bar 26 at a lower outside junction 29. The junctions of thehorizontal support frame 28 are formed in a plane.

The foot supports 36 provide grip and are rested on the ground. The footsupports 36 are connected to lower support legs that can be telescopicextended from the pair of support legs 27 when in a deployed position.After use, the lower support legs can be retracted into the pair ofsupport legs 27.

The right pair of cross support bars 37 can be the same as or invertedfrom the left pair of cross support bars 21, 26. Depending upon externalforces anticipated, the horizontal support frame could be connected tothe right pair of cross support bars at the second cross support bar onthe right side and connected to the left pair of cross support bars atthe first cross support bar on the left side. The horizontal supportframe could be connected to both the right pair of cross support barsand to the left pair of cross support bars.

The center post 24 has a center post upper section 44 and a center postlower section 49 connected at a extension grommet 43. The left thirdpivot 42 is connected to an upper portion of the center post uppersection 44 to provide pivoting of the horizontal support frame 28. Thehorizontal support frame is not literally always a frame since it haspivoting motion and therefore it is like a four bar mechanism that locksto become a frame when in a deployed position. The horizontal supportframe only becomes a rigid frame in the deployed position. The extensionsleeve 47 fits around the center post lower section to provide slidingcontrol of the center post lower section. The sleeve struts 46 arepivotally connected between the extension sleeve 47 and the upperportion of the support legs 45. The support legs 27 are thereforeconnected to the center post at the sleeve struts 46 and also to thefirst pivot 41. The extension sleeve 47 rides along the center post 24up and down like riding on a track of an elevator. A center post lowercap is positioned on the center post 24 to cap the opening of the hollowmetal tube of the center post. The center post lower cap may have abutton for engaging with the extension sleeve when the extension sleevegoes to a lower position during a folded position. The center post lowercap is preferably made a plastic material. The center post lower cap 48and the extension grommet 43 may define an upper and lower bound oftravel for the extension sleeve 47.

In a deployed position, as seen in FIG. 3, the fabric canopy connects tothe apex formed of the between the support legs 27 and the fabric canopyconnects to the outside tips of the cross support bars to providetension support. The fabric canopy supports the tips of the crosssupport bars with balanced tension in the front and back.

Optionally, the pair of sleeve struts can be formed as a chain or rope.Other tension only members is can be formed as chain or rope, but it ispreferred to use rigid members on all parts to avoid binding andtangles.

The canopy top can be made of a traditional fabric material, or anon-woven fabric, or a roll plastic sheet having no woven fibers orthreads. The canopy fabric can be made of a translucent material, or atransparent material. The canopy fabric can have openings for allowingsunlight to pass through. The canopy fabric can be made opaque andhaving colored stripes.

Optionally, the center post has a height and direction that is adjustedto abut or snap connect to the cross support bars to support the crosssupport bars and to limit the motion of the cross support bars. Thecross support bars are shown in the outermost layer to the left andright and the legs and center post are shown in the innermost layerinside the outermost layer. Optionally, the center post does not touchthe cross support bars.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may find obvious modifications ofthe above detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The scopeof the invention is to be defined only by the following claims.

1. A folding canopy comprising: a. a canopy top made of flexible sheetmaterial; and b. a canopy frame, wherein the canopy top is adapted toattach onto the canopy frame, wherein the canopy frame furthercomprises: i. a pair of left cross support bars including a first leftcross support bar, and a second left cross support bar; wherein thefirst left cross support bar is pivotally connected to the second leftcross support bar; ii. a pair of right cross support bars including afirst right cross support bar, and a second right cross support bar;wherein the first right cross support bar is pivotally connected to thesecond right cross support bar; iii. a pair of left legs pivotallyconnected together, wherein the pair of left legs form an angle betweenthem in a deployed position, wherein the pair of left legs form a leftapex, wherein the pair of left legs are pivotally connected to the firstleft cross support bar and the second left cross support bar; iv. a pairof right legs pivotally connected together, wherein the pair of rightlegs form an angle between them in a deployed position, wherein the pairof right legs form a right apex, wherein the pair of right legs arepivotally connected to the first right cross support bar and the secondright cross support bar; v. a horizontal support frame connectingbetween the pair of right legs and the pair of left legs, wherein thehorizontal support frame is pivotally connected to the pair of rightlegs and pivotally connected to the pair of left legs.
 2. The foldingcanopy of claim 1, wherein the horizontal support frame is collapsibleinto a folded position from a deployed position.
 3. The folding canopyof claim 1, wherein the horizontal support frame comprises four barsmade of hollow metal and wherein the four bars are joined by pivotconnection to each other and to the pair of left legs and to the pair ofright legs.
 4. The folding canopy of claim 1, wherein the horizontalsupport frame connects to the pair of left cross support bars and to thepair of right cross support bars and a right lower outside junction andat a left outside junction.
 5. The folding canopy of claim 1, whereinthe horizontal support frame connects to the pair of right legs at theright apex, and wherein the horizontal support frame connects to thepair of left legs at the left apex.
 6. The folding canopy of claim 1,further comprising a left center post connecting to the left apex, andfurther comprising a right center post connecting to the right apex,wherein the pair of left legs are pivotally connected to the left centerpost at the left apex and wherein the pair of right legs are pivotallyconnected to the right center post at the right apex, wherein the leftcenter post is substantially vertically oriented, and wherein the rightcenter post is substantially vertically oriented.
 7. The folding canopyof claim 6, wherein the horizontal support frame is collapsible into afolded position from a deployed position.
 8. The folding canopy of claim6, wherein the horizontal support frame comprises four bars made ofhollow metal and wherein the four bars are joined by pivot connection toeach other and to the pair of left legs and to the pair of right legs.9. The folding canopy of claim 6, wherein the horizontal support frameconnects to the pair of left cross support bars and to the pair of rightcross support bars and a right lower outside junction and at a leftoutside junction.
 10. The folding canopy of claim 6, wherein thehorizontal support frame connects to the pair of right legs at the rightapex, and wherein the horizontal support frame connects to the pair ofleft legs at the left apex.
 11. The folding canopy of claim 6, furthercomprising a right extension sleeve that is sliding mounted to the rightcenter post lower section, wherein the right extension sleeve has a pairof right sleeve struts, wherein the pair of right sleeve struts areconnected to the pair of right legs, and further comprising a leftextension sleeve that is sliding mounted to the left center post lowersection, wherein the left extension sleeve has a pair of left sleevestruts, wherein the pair of left sleeve struts are connected to the pairof left legs.
 12. The folding canopy of claim 11, wherein the horizontalsupport frame is collapsible into a folded position from a deployedposition.
 13. The folding canopy of claim 11, wherein the horizontalsupport frame comprises four bars made of hollow metal and wherein thefour bars are joined by pivot connection to each other and to the pairof left legs and to the pair of right legs.
 14. The folding canopy ofclaim 11, wherein the horizontal support frame connects to the pair ofleft cross support bars and to the pair of right cross support bars anda right lower outside junction and at a left outside junction.
 15. Thefolding canopy of claim 11, wherein the horizontal support frameconnects to the pair of right legs at the right apex, and wherein thehorizontal support frame connects to the pair of left legs at the leftapex.
 16. The folding canopy of claim 11, further comprising a rightcenter post lower cap and a right extension grommet to bound a range oftravel of the right extension sleeve between a right upper bound definedby the right extension grommet and a right lower bound of theright-center post lower cap; further comprising a left center post lowercap and a left extension grommet to bound a range of travel of the leftextension sleeve between a left upper bound defined by the leftextension grommet and a left lower bound of the left center post lowercap.
 17. The folding canopy of claim 16, wherein the horizontal supportframe is collapsible into a folded position from a deployed position.18. The folding canopy of claim 16, wherein the horizontal support framecomprises four bars made of hollow metal and wherein the four bars arejoined by pivot connection to each other and to the pair of left legsand to the pair of right legs.
 19. The folding canopy of claim 16,wherein the horizontal support frame connects to the pair of left crosssupport bars and to the pair of right cross support bars and a rightlower outside junction and at a left outside junction.
 20. The foldingcanopy of claim 16, wherein the horizontal support frame connects to thepair of right legs at the right apex, and wherein the horizontal supportframe connects to the pair of left legs at the left apex.